Lehigh Valley Lender Match to Help Entrepreneurs Find Financing and Business Resources--Fast

Release Date:

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Release Number:

12-09

Advisory Date:

Monday, March 5, 2012

Contact:

Jennifer Pilcher 610-382-3084

Philadelphia, PA – SBA will join with a coalition of economic development organizations on March 20 to present the Lehigh Valley Lender Match and Business Resources Expo. This “one-stop” event is designed to spark lending and business development relationships across the region. SBA encourages entrepreneurs at every stage of business development, from start-up to going concern, to attend this free-of-charge event on March 20, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the ArtsQuest Center at Steelstacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA 18015. This event is open to the media.

The Event’s “Lender Match” will allow entrepreneurs a series of 10-minute pitch periods to pitch their financing needs to a variety of lenders in one-on-one meetings before presenting to the next lender. Participating lenders will schedule more detailed interviews to occur at a later date with entrepreneurs whose proposal may be a match with their lending portfolio. Representatives from SBA’s Resource Partner network – SCORE and Small Business Development Centers – will also be available to help potential borrowers.

The Event’s Business Expo will include business resource displays and networking opportunities.

Entrepreneurs participating in the “Lender Match” should bring the following materials to the event:

Cover sheet containing all contact info and business information;

Detailed loan request – providing a breakdown of Use of Proceeds;

Current business plan, including 3 Years historical financial statements and/or 2 years of projections

Personal financial statement;

Personal tax returns – last 2 years;

Credit report;

List of available collateral

Along with the U.S. SBA, the following organizations are sponsors of the March 20 Lehigh Valley Lender Match & Business Resources Expo: Lehigh University Small Business Development Center; Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.; Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Inc.; SCORE Lehigh Valley; Pennsylvania Community Development and Finance Corporation; Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce; Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce; Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce.

For more info contact Michael Kane, SBA Business Development Specialist: 610-382-3085 michael.kane@sba.gov.

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The U.S. Small Business Administration’s participation in this cosponsored activity does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any cosponsor’s, donor’s, grantee’s, contractor’s or participant’s opinions, products, or services. All SBA programs and cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance, by contacting sbw@sba.gov. Cosponsorship Authorization #12-0303-07.

To request an interview or photographs, please contact Jennifer Pilcher, the SBA’s Public Information Officer in the Philadelphia District Office, at 610-382-3084 or jennifer.pilcher@sba.gov.